The <a href="http://www.ramat-hanadiv.org.il/index_en.aspx" target="_blank">Ramat Hanadiv Visiting Center</a> located in Zichron Yaakov, Israel is a lovely low-lying structure that is buried underneath its own gardens. The multi-functional space enjoys insulation from the plants and the earth, but it also has a naturally daylit corridor in the center that pulls light into all the rooms. The visitor's center was designed by <a href="http://www.adakarmimelamede.com/ramat-hanadiv-visiting-center" target="_blank">Ada Karmi-Melamede Architects</a> in collaboration with Guy Teomi and Yuval Amitzi, and the landscape architecture was conceived by Amir Blum. Their objective was to design a building that would meet the goals of the nature park with the lowest possible impact.

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Ramat Hanadiv Visiting Center-Ada Karmi Melamede Architects

<a href="http://www.ramat-hanadiv.org.il/index_en.aspx">Ramat Hanadiv</a> is a nature park and gardens in northern Israel and "plays a leading role in the management of natural and cultural resources based on sustainable interactions between man, nature and the environment."

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Ramat Hanadiv Visiting Center-Ada Karmi Melamede Architects

The park started a green waste recycling program in 1994 to convert landscaping material into compost and serves as an example to gardeners and municipalities in the area.

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Ramat Hanadiv Visiting Center-Ada Karmi Melamede Architects

The gardens also feature a wastewater purification facility that treats its own wastewater and uses it for irrigation.

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Ramat Hanadiv Visiting Center-Ada Karmi Melamede Architects

The visitor center was completed in 2008 and is located between the parking lot and the vast gardens.

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Ramat Hanadiv Visiting Center-Ada Karmi Melamede Architects

Serving as the gateway to the park, the center extends approximately 150 meters in a curvilinear fashion and provides facilities for a diverse group of visitors.

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Ramat Hanadiv Visiting Center-Ada Karmi Melamede Architects

Located inside is an auditorium, classrooms, small courtyards, an exhibition space and a small cafeteria.

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Ramat Hanadiv Visiting Center-Ada Karmi Melamede Architects

Bermed on both sides by earth and vegetation, the center is heavily insulated against the sun and the weather.

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Ramat Hanadiv Visiting Center-Ada Karmi Melamede Architects

The two inclined landscape surfaces don't quite touch in the center and a corridor, extending the length of the building, lets in natural daylight.

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Ramat Hanadiv Visiting Center-Ada Karmi Melamede Architects

Three passages cross the bermed building to allow entrance into the park and the visitor center.

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Ramat Hanadiv Visiting Center-Ada Karmi Melamede Architects

<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramat_HaNadiv" target="_blank">Ramat Hanadiv’s Visitors Pavilion</a> was the first building in Israel to be granted standard certification for sustainable construction.

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Ramat Hanadiv Visiting Center-Ada Karmi Melamede Architects

Cross sections of the Ramat Hanadiv Visiting Center.

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Ramat Hanadiv Visiting Center-Ada Karmi Melamede Architects

Cross sections of the Ramat Hanadiv Visiting Center

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Ramat Hanadiv Visiting Center-Ada Karmi Melamede Architects

Floor plan of the Ramat Hanadiv Visiting Center.

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Ramat Hanadiv Visiting Center-Ada Karmi Melamede Architects

The Ramat Hanadiv Visiting Center located in Zichron Yaakov, Israel is a lovely low-lying structure that is buried underneath its own gardens. The multi-functional space enjoys insulation from the plants and the earth, but it also has a naturally daylit corridor in the center that pulls light into all the rooms. The visitor's center was designed by Ada Karmi-Melamede Architects in collaboration with Guy Teomi and Yuval Amitzi, and the landscape architecture was conceived by Amir Blum. Their objective was to design a building that would meet the goals of the nature park with the lowest possible impact.